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Thursday, February 21, 2013

AMAZING BENEFITS OF RAISINS

Yes! Raisins are very good for our health, in fact, they are
considered to be one of the most nutritious dried fruits in the world. Raisins
have quite a history. They were discovered long ago by prehistoric cavemen who
might have come across dried grapes on vines and from then started consuming
them. Ancient Israelites even used raisins for settling debts and paying taxes.

What are raisins?Raisins are dehydrated grapes that have been
sun-dried or heat-dried. Even though very sweet grapes are selected for making
raisins, most store-bought raisins contain artificial sweeteners to make them
even sweeter. You can avoid these artificially produced ones by making sure you
purchase organic and naturally dried raisins, if available.Nutrients found in raisinsEven though raisins may look unappetizing with
their wrinkled dried up texture, raisins are highly nutritious and contain
powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients.

MineralsMagnesium: For proper nerve and muscle functioning
and conversion of blood sugar to energy.Calcium: Builds bones and teeth, for proper
function of muscles, the heart and nervous system.Iron: Used to build red-blood cells and for
repairing worn out cells.Potassium: For regulation of heart beat and
maintaining blood pressure.Phosphorus : For strong bones and teeth.Zinc : Eliminates cholesterol deposits and
necessary for manufacture of enzymes.Copper : Facilitates iron absorption and promotes
protein metabolism.Fluoride: Hardens tooth enamel and dentine.

VitaminsFolate: Forms red blood cells and important in
blood circulation around the body.Niacin : Aids normal functioning of tissues
especially the gastrointestinal tract and the skin tissues.Riboflavin : Aids in releasing energy to body cells
and enables break down of fatsCholine : Keeps cellular membranes functioning
properly.Vitamin C: Important for the formation of collagen
and is necessary for absorption of iron into the body.Vitamin B-6: Prevents water retention and enables
conversion of carbohydrates to energyVitamin K: Necessary for normal blood clotting and
synthesis of proteins found in plasma, bone, and kidneys.

High in fiber and bursting with anti-oxidants,
raisins are a better snack than most.

Raisins as a SnackBeing high in fiber and having considerably low
calories, raisins are a better snack than most. They are also a great source of
energy as they are packed with natural sugars and glucose. It's better to
consume moderate amounts of raisins to avoid extra calories but if you're an
active or athletic person, this needn't be much of a worry. While snacking on
them, remember to keep in mind the great health benefits of raisins. Adding
raisins to your diet may offer more benefits than you may think.

One cup of raisins contains 3g of soluble fiber.
The soluble fiber together with the polyphenols found in raisins both interfere
with cholesterol absorption.

Raisins health benefits: Anti-CholesterolDid you know that raisins are completely
cholesterol-free? In fact, raisins are known to have anti-cholesterol compounds
that help combat the bad cholesterol in the body. A cup of raisins is said to
contain about 4g of soluble fiber. It is this soluble fiber that fights the bad
cholesterol and disposes of it in the liver to be eliminated. Raisins also
contain anti-oxidants known as polyphenols that suppress the enzymes
responsible for absorbing cholesterol into the body. In so doing, raisins help
lower total cholesterol levels in the body.

Raisins health benefits:Brain FoodOne of the interesting health benefits of raisins
is that it is a great brain food. Raisins contain high amounts of boron that is
an essential mineral for a well-functioning brain. 100mg of raisins contains
2.2mg of boron, which is a potent brain-boosting mineral. Boron improves
concentration, hand-eye co-ordination and enhances memory. Additionally, boron
also helps promote the functioning of important minerals such as calcium and
magnesium.

Raisins health benefits and Blood PressureRaisins not only help purify blood and eliminate
toxins but they also help reduce high levels of blood pressure. There is a
significant amount of Potassium, a potent mineral said to be able to help lower
blood pressure, in raisins. Potassium also helps keep in check the sodium
levels in our body. Too much sodium in the body is one of the root causes of
high blood pressure.

Raisin health benefits for OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is simply a disease that affects the
bones, causing them to become weak and unhealthy. Most women above the age of
40 are likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Adding raisins to your diet may
offer more benefits than you may think. Since raisins contain a significant
amount of calcium, they may help keep the bones strong and deflect bone disease
and osteoporosis.Raisins health benefits for AcidiosisAcidiosis is defined as an excessively acid
condition of the body fluid and tissues. Studies show that eating raisins
regularly may naturally help check your body levels of acidity and prevent them
from rising. This is because raisins contain alkaline compounds that help
neutralize the high levels of acidity in the body.

A cup of raisins contains 10g of dietary fiber.
Dietary fiber is essential in the body for regulating bowel movement, thereby
preventing constipation.

Raisin health benefits for ConstipationThe high fiber in raisins are very beneficial and
help your system function smoothly because they promote regular bowel movement.
A cup of raisins contains about 10 g of dietary fiber. Granted, dietary fiber
is not nutritious but it is important to help keep our bodies free from harmful
toxic substances by cleansing the bowels. Regular bowel movement is very
important for healthy living and also prevents various health problems from
acne to colon cancer.

Contrary to the saying that raisins give you cavities,
the chewy texture and rich fiber in raisins actually helps cleanse your teeth
and promote strong gums. Oleanolic acid, an active phytochemical in raisins
helps destroy and suppress growth of streptococcus mutans, a type of bacteria
responsible for causing tooth decays.

Black raisins. Raisins, being very rich in iron,
are potent blood purifying foods.Raisins health benefits for AnemiaWhen it comes to anemia, the best foods to eat up
on are those rich in iron namely, rich red meats and dark leafy vegetables. But
did you know that raisins may actually contain more iron than some of the iron
rich vegetables? A half cup of iron contains 2 mg of iron and this is more than
5% of the recommended dietary allowance in both men and women. Additionally,
raisins contain powerful anti-oxidants that help detoxify blood and exterminate
harmful toxins that are responsible for many health ailments.

Eat raisins for healthy and clear eyesightRaisins health benefits for EyesightVarious research conducted on raisins have noted
that raisins may save you from going blind in old age. The powerful
anti-oxidants found in raisins may help prevent macular degeneration in old
age. The macular is gradually worn out throughout life by constantly being
exposed to oxygen free radicals present in the air. It slowly weakens and
eventually fails to function normally. Studies have shown how raisins can
reverse the negative effects that free radicals on the macular. The polyphenols
contained in raisins are very powerful in defeating oxygen stealing free
radicals and thereby protect your eyes from disease.